It’s been commonplace to read this past week that NBC and the NFL have to be pleased with the matchup for the 46th Super Bowl, taking place for the first time in beautiful downtown Indianapolis. After all, the New York Giants and New England Patriots represent two enormous markets and two cities that are historic sports rivals; besides which both teams played a classic Super Bowl just four years ago. But the game and the spectacle sell themselves no matter who’s playing, and we’ll have plenty to discuss Monday even if the game is a dud.

NBC kicks everything off Sunday with pregame festivities starting at 1 p.m., which I believe is a new record for early starts. The game itself will commence at 6:25 or so, punctuated by the halftime show starring Madonna and an apparently still-evolving collection of guest stars (the latest rumor is that Cee Lo Green will be in attendance, which makes sense since the season premiere of The Voice follows the game). Finally, after The Voice and local news, Jimmy Fallon will host a postgame edition of his show starting at approximately 11:30 p.m, for those of you who aren’t partied out yet. For those of you who, like me, have no rooting interest in this game, make sure you party safe! Next year might be our year.

Also this week:

Monday: Gossip Girl (CW, 8 p.m.): The big tease this week is not so much that Episode 100 of this series features the Blair-Louis royal wedding – it’s the possibility we might learn something about Gossip Girl herself. About dang time. The refusal of Chuck to accept he’s history and the return of Georgina are the major complications in the nuptials.

Tuesday: Glee (Fox, 8 p.m.): This series is running out of cards to play, but it deals a big one this week with its “Michael Jackson episode.” The music of the King of Pop punctuates the usual Glee goings-on, including new developments in the run-up to regionals, and both Kurt and Rachel getting news about their post-high school plans.

Wednesday: Royal Pains (USA, 10 p.m.): This week’s royal pain is the one in Hank’s back, which is limiting his ability to see patients. He asks Van Dyke to fill in for him temporarily. Also, Jack has mixed results with his clinical trial, and Jill and Divya give aid and comfort to a thief.

Thursday: Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9 p.m.): Last year’s singing episode didn’t sit well with most people (I didn’t mind it), but Grey’s is going outside the box again, with an hour in which Meredith daydreams about how her life could have been different if a few key elements had changed. Don’t they usually do the It’s a Wonderful Life stories in December?

Friday: Paul Mooney: The Godfather of Comedy (Showtime, 9 p.m.): “The godfather of comedy?” Is this a special we can’t refuse? Look for Mooney to come after the usual assortment of not-so-sacred cows on this performance taped in Atlanta, including Mel Gibson, Sarah Palin, and Tiger Woods.

Saturday: Secrets of Eden (Lifetime, 8 p.m.): Just knowing that this movie stars John Stamos as a minister pretty much elevates it all but itself into must-see territory. The holy man is accused of murdering a woman with whom he was having an affair – see, it’s getting even better. Anna Gunn also stars, as part of her psychic payment for getting to do Breaking Bad.